Just as he had said, Xie Yan when he was serious, Xie Yan when he spoke of scholarship, possessed a distinct kind of charm.
After the third day of the eighth month, the examination date drew near.
The schedule for the provincial examination was fairly fixed, generally from the ninth to the seventeenth of the eighth month. This year was no exception.
On the eighth, they moved into the house near the examination compound, bringing along all their belongings.
Because of the peddler’s warning, Lu Yang altered their sleeves to narrow cuffs, cutting away any excess fabric.
Xie Yan brought along a ruler—a simple bamboo disciplinary ruler. Uncle Cui had given it to him on his birthday, telling him to guard against arrogance and impatience.
He told Wu Pingzhi to find a ruler as well. If anyone pressed close on purpose or jostled them, they could pull it out and swing it about.
Their examination baskets had long been prepared, filled with writing brushes and all necessary stationery.
They packed dry rations: roasted flour, tiny steamed buns, dried meat. There was also rice.
This time it was nine days with three sessions. They would live inside the compound, so they had to bring a small stove and bedding. They also took oilcloth and candles.
Lu Yang bought peppermint balm. It had a strong, refreshing scent. He had heard of the “filth stalls,” notorious for their unbearable stench. The examination lanes were narrow, each accommodating dozens to over a hundred people. In such an environment, it would be stuffy and hard to breathe. A bit of peppermint balm could at least provide some relief.
He bought extra. Once they reached the lodging and saw Ji Mingzhu and the others, he gave each of them a box.
Since both Xie Yan and Wu Pingzhi had prepared rulers, Lu Yang brought two more and, after asking, gave one each to Ji Mingzhu and Sheng Daxian.
Ji Mingzhu said to Lu Yang, “You and my husband must have much to say. He is like you—he does more than he speaks.”
Xie Yan muttered to Lu Yang, “His husband does not like to pay attention to him.”
Ji Mingzhu had truly had enough.
“That was long ago! You are not allowed to say it anymore!”
Xie Yan said, “I understand.”
Whether he would change was another matter.
Ji Mingzhu went to grumble to Sheng Daxian. “It is all your fault for talking so much. Why did you tell him that?”
Sheng Daxian ignored him. “Then you should ask why your husband ignored you.”
Wu Pingzhi stood where he was, looking at the bickering Ji and Sheng, then at the inseparable Lu and Xie. Suddenly, he felt rather lonely.
Xie Yan called to him, “Let us all turn in early tonight. We rise at dawn for the examination!”
Wu Pingzhi let out a long breath.
Yes. The examination was tomorrow.
That night Xie Yan was too excited to sleep. He held Lu Yang and rubbed against him, talking about this and that, then saying nothing at all, just calling softly, “Jingzhi,” and staring at him with a foolish grin.
Lu Yang rubbed his brow and told him to lie still and close his eyes to rest.
He said, “A Yan, I will recite the Thousand Character Classic to you.”
Long ago, when Lu Yang was not yet used to sleeping late, he would wake in the middle of the night and try to get up to work.
Back then, Xie Yan would tell him to sleep a little longer and would recite the Thousand Character Classic to soothe him.
Now Lu Yang could recite it as well. Beginning with “Heaven and earth, dark and yellow,” he finished the passage. Xie Yan still was not sleepy, but his heart had quieted.
That night was very still. Only the sound of their breathing filled the room.
They both knew the other was not asleep, yet each kept his eyes closed.
At the slightest sound outside, they opened their eyes at once.
Sleep was a curious thing. Even without truly falling asleep, simply lying with eyes closed was enough to restore their spirits.
While the four candidates washed up in the morning, Lu Yang prepared breakfast.
It was simple: a bowl of noodles with shredded pork and greens, topped with a poached egg. No heavy seasonings.
After eating, they carried their examination baskets and shouldered their bedding, heading to line up at the examination compound.
There were three gates for entry. From a distance, they could see the placard for Changdeng County and went to stand beneath it. Soon it was the fourth watch. A cannon boomed from the compound. Silence fell in all directions as roll call began.
Lu Yang watched from not far away. Lanterns burned brightly there; he could see exactly where Xie Yan stood.
Last year’s examination had returned Xie Yan to the path of the imperial examinations. This year would test the results.
Lu Yang touched his chest. The steady calm of the night seemed to have carried into the present. He did not feel nervous.
He heard Xie Yan’s name called and watched him enter steadily through the gate.
Afterward, he heard many familiar names and saw them go in one by one.
Only when roll call ended and the great gates closed, when the surrounding crowd erupted into noise, did he feel himself return to the mortal world and hear his heart pounding like drums.
Lu Yang followed the crowd outward.
In the distance, the sun rose—a red disk striking yet not harsh.
He thought of Xie Yan. He too was like a rising sun.
Inside the examination compound—
Xie Yan passed the search smoothly, found his examination cell, and methodically set down his belongings, fastened the oilcloth canopy, arranged his items, then closed his eyes to rest.
At dawn, gongs and drums sounded, and the answer sheets were distributed.
First session: seven questions on the Classics.
Xie Yan ground ink and read the questions. The surrounding noises receded farther and farther away. The red sun in the sky could not reach within the high walls; before him was only dimness.
He did not light a lamp.
He had already walked through the night. The sun was about to rise.
……………………………………
On the fifth day of the eighth month, guests arrived at home.
Da Qiang and Wang Meng came to the prefectural city to deliver mushrooms. Li Feng kept them for two days and brought them to the house to sit and talk.
It had been a long time since they had seen one another. Lu Liu immediately went out to buy wine and dishes. He first set out the dishes purchased from the restaurant so they could begin eating and drinking, then hurried to the kitchen to prepare several plates of the mountain stronghold’s signature drinking dishes.
Fish-bone greens, assorted fish offal, pork offal—the usual three favorites—all were prepared. There were also several homestyle dishes.
After three rounds of wine, more plates were added, and they could boast and chat for quite a while longer.
The business taken on during the grand market had kept everyone in the stronghold so busy their feet barely touched the ground.
Even small children helped at home sorting mushrooms. On the mountain paths, hardly any children could be seen at play; they had all been called back to work.
In the eighth month came the wheat harvest. After these recent light rains, they would have to rush to bring it in.
The stronghold leader had already spoken: each household should help the others. Finish the harvest early, earn money early, and continue gathering mushrooms.
When collecting mushrooms, they carried medicinal baskets on their backs and gathered herbs along the way.
All the hunting grounds were livelier than before. Many people formed groups to wander within them. The deeper the area, the better the goods.
Because this could earn money, many people took weapons up the mountain but scarcely hunted. Only when unavoidable would they take game. Now many small animals were no longer even afraid of people.
People in the stronghold discussed which hunting grounds held the most valuable goods.
At present, the top-ranked areas were all connected to the brothers.
The deep mountain hunting ground was the furthest in. It was visited least often and had many fierce beasts; naturally, it also held the most valuable goods.
Next was San Miao’s hunting ground. It lay closest to the deep mountains. In past years he had followed the brothers into other areas and seldom entered his own ground, so many good things had accumulated there.
Then came Da Qiang’s hunting ground. The dense wild bee population provided natural protection. The frequency of gathering there rivaled even the deep mountain grounds. The danger level was lower, yet vast areas remained untouched. When he did not harvest honey, even two large baskets were not enough!
Wang Meng complained to Li Feng that Da Qiang was not generous.
“When we go to San Miao’s hunting ground, we wander freely. But Da Qiang—eat two pieces of his honey and he nags me for a whole year!”
Da Qiang immediately glared, nearly slamming the table apart.
“Was it just two pieces? You go up the mountain just to steal my honey! What is wrong with asking you for a few copper coins? I have children to raise!”
Wang Meng now had children as well and spoke with confidence.
“Who does not have children? I did not harvest honey just to eat it myself.”
Li Feng listened to them bicker, the smile never leaving his face.
It had been so long since things were this lively. He missed it dearly.
He called Lu Liu over to sit with them. Lu Liu felt shy.
In past years they set two tables: the men at one, the husbands at another, never eating together.
Li Feng insisted. “It is nothing. We are all brothers.”
Lu Liu did not drink; he used tea in place of wine and asked after their husbands.
“How is Brother An? What is he busy with these days? Has Jiu Ge’er gone to the county town? How is he getting on?”
